Which aspect of communication includes gestures and body movements?

The correct choice highlights nonlinguistic communication, which encompasses gestures, body movements, and other forms of communication that do not rely on spoken or written language. This aspect plays a crucial role in conveying emotions, intentions, and meanings beyond words, offering additional context to verbal interactions. For instance, a thumbs-up signal or a wave can communicate approval or greeting without the need for language. Understanding nonlinguistic communication is essential, as it accounts for a significant portion of how individuals convey and interpret messages in social situations.

The other options focus on different elements of communication. Phonology pertains specifically to the sounds of language and their systematic organization within a language, which does not include gestures. Locutionary communication refers to the actual production of speech acts, highlighting the spoken aspect of communication, rather than non-verbal cues. Perlocutionary communication is more focused on the effects that speech has on listeners, such as how what was said influences their beliefs or actions, but again, this does not involve gestures or body movements. Understanding the distinctions among these concepts is key to comprehending the broader scope of communication.